The European or wels catfish is in many senses a very recent arrival into the world of sport fishing in Britain. This is less the case in mainland Europe, but even there angling for this species cannot be said to have a long history. Catching catfish for food, however, has gone on since time immemorial in the vast rivers and lakes of Eastern Europe and southern Russia. The Complete Book of the Giant Catfish is a complete guide to the species, written by an experienced catfish angler and inspiring enthusiast.